Library Commission Minutes - October 6, 2005

SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMISSION
Minutes of the regular meeting of Thursday, October 6, 2005.
(As approved November 3, 2005)
The San Francisco Public Library Commission held a regular meeting on Thursday, October 6, 2005 in the Koret Auditorium, Main Library.
The meeting was called to order by President Higueras at 4:11 pm.
Commissioners present: Bautista, Gomez, Higueras, Kane, and Strobin.
Commissioner excused: Commissioner Coulter
Commissioner Chin’s arrival was expected. A quorum was present
AGENDA ITEM #1 PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Anneliese Malevich discussed: relocation of foreign language collections at the Main Library to closed stacks; and urged that these materials be returned to open circulation.
An anonymous member of the public commented on: their opposition to the Friends of the Library; and spoke about an unsuccessful lawsuit that they had filed against the Library related to adherence to the requirements of Prop. E (Library Preservation Fund 1994).
Mr. Peter Warfield commented on: the importance of having materials in open circulation rather than closed stacks; that the Library failed to honor commitments; and about his concerns with the new materials holds system.
Mr. John Maccabee, Friends of the Library, commented about: this work with and support for Library Wallace Stegner Environment Affinity Center; called attention to recent Friends and Earth Island Institute sponsored event featuring Jacques Leslie; and concluded with an update on the Friends Capital Campaign for Neighborhood Libraries.
Commissioner Chin joined the meeting at 4:14pm.
Mr. Greg Pennington, Friends of the Library, spoke about: a presentation made by President Higueras to the Board of the Friends; and lauded cooperative efforts that were leading to a new era of strong community support for our public libraries.
AGENDA ITEM #2 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2005
Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #2 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2005
An anonymous member of the public commented: that these minutes were disgraceful; and that his comments concerning Library Commission history as they related to tenure in office of former Commission President James Herlihy were inaccurately reported; that information presented during the City Librarian’s Report by Deputy City Librarian on a Berkeley RFID related Forum, the Library Technology Privacy Advisory Committee, and self-service reserves were not included.
Mr. Peter Warfield commented: that the Minutes generalized so much as to not be meaningful or understandable; and found inaccurate a Public comment attributed him suggesting that Library special collections had not been cataloged nor were easily available to users.
Commission discussion of AGENDA ITEM #2 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMEBR 1, 2005
MOTION: by Commissioner Chin, 2nd by Commissioner Strobin for approval of the Minutes of the regular Library Commission meeting of September 1, 2005.
ACTION: 6-0 aye (Bautista, Chin, Gomez, Higueras, Kane, and Strobin)
AGENDA ITEM #3 FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT
Ms. Donna Bero, Executive Director of the Friend of the San Francisco Public Library reported the great success of this year’s Big Book Sale that raised $250,000 in support of the Library. Ms. Bero additionally reported on recent Friends supported programs including observances honoring the 50th Anniversary of the 1st public reading of Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Howl” and an upcoming three day weekend program focused on the Mission Bay neighborhood beginning a neighborhood capital campaign for their new branch library now under construction.
Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #3 FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT
An anonymous member of the public commented: that no one give to or accept money from the Friends, noted lack of a report on the “public comment “ fund; discussed the evolution of the term” factoid”; and related an anecdote about the Friends this person attributed to Mrs. Charlotte Swig.
Mr. Greg Pennington, Friends of the Library, noted: the transparency of all financial matters related to the Friends; and that as a small business owner he knew the Friends took their responsibilities very seriously.
Commission discussion of AGENDA ITEM #3 FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT
Commissioner Bautista thanked and commended the Friends of the Library on the success of this year’s Big Book Sale and for their support for our libraries.
President Higueras congratulated and thanked the Friends for the outstanding success of this year’s “Big Book Sale” and noted that the Friends gave generously to support our public library without any compromise to the system. President Higueras thanked the thousands of volunteers who made this success possible.
Commissioner Bautista called attention to an October 26th event organized by the San Francisco-Manila Sister City Committee with assistance by Marion Chatfield-Taylor of the Friends of the Library to enrich the special Philippine collection at the Excelsior Branch Library.
AGENDA ITEM #4 CITY LIBRARIAN’S REPORT
City Librarian Luis Herrera reported on: the closure of the Sunset Library; and the Board of Supervisors unanimous approval of a resolution authorizing the Library to accept and expend $16 million in gifts from the Friends of the Library for the benefit of our neighborhood libraries. Mr. Herrera discussed the relationship agreement defining the partnership and relations between the Library and the Friend’s of the Library.
The City Librarian then introduced Deputy City Librarian Paul Underwood who gave an update on recent Library Technology & Privacy Advisory Committee activities. City Librarian Herrera then outlined the ways that the Library was participating in the efforts to come to the aid of the people, communities, and the public, school, and university libraries damaged by Hurricane Katrina in cooperation with the American Library Association (ALA).
The City Librarian next introduced Library Chief of Adult Services and Communications Marcia Schneider, who reported the Library’s creation of the “On the same page, San Francisco Reads” program funded by a $30,000 appropriation by the Board of Supervisors authored by District 1 Supervisor Jake McGoldrick. Ms. Schneider noted the classic book Ishi, in Two Worlds would be the first book in this program.
The City Librarian concluded his report with a presentation of highlights of the upcoming exhibits and programs at the Library during November 2005.
Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #4 CITY LIBRARIAN’S REPORT
An anonymous member of the public commented: about the Board of Supervisors approval of the “Accept and Expend resolution”; noted that information concerning the “framework” agreement between the Library and the Friends had not been available in advance of the meeting; discussed their views concerning the Library technology & Privacy Advisory Committee; and suggested that Supervisor McGoldrick’s intentions had been ignored in the creation of the new reading program.
Mr. Greg Pennington, Friends of the Library, commented: that the Supervisors had carefully considered and allowed reasonable flexibility when approving the up to $16 million “Accept and Expend” Resolution; noted that protecting library user’s privacy was of great concern to everyone participating on the Library Technology & Privacy Advisory Committee; and commended Deputy City Librarian Paul Underwood’s hard work and dedication.
Mr. John Maccabee, Friends for the Library, commented on: conspiracy theories; called attention to the Friend’s core set of beliefs; and noted that the Supervisor’s had unanimously approved the $16 million “Accept and Expend Resolution”.
Mr. Peter Warfield commented about: the Library’s excellent exhibits; and discussed his disappointments with aspects of the “framework “agreement between the Library and the Friends of the Library. Mr. Warfield noted that his organization a “Library Users Association” had not been included among those informed concerning the work of the Library Technology & Privacy Advisory Committee.
Commission discussion of AGENDA ITEM #4 CITY LIBRARIAN’S REPORT
Commissioner Chin said that it was hateful to denigrate the generous efforts of the Friends of the Library to support our public libraries. Commissioner Chin commended the quick action taken to support the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and thanked the Friends for their support and leadership. Commissioner Chin reported that she was currently reading an excellent book Guns, Germs, and Steel.
President Higueras reported that the closing party for the Sunset Branch had been a great community event. President Higueras noted that the Supervisor’s unanimous approval demonstrated that they well understood and found responsible the Accept and Expend Resolution for the branch libraries. President Higueras noted that the Library Technology & Privacy Advisory Committee was providing useful thinking concerning how libraries could respond to new technologies such as RFID without reacting to hysteria. President Higueras looked forward to receiving their full and substantive report.
Commissioner Gomez thanked the Friends for their support for the Library and noted that she would be making additional contributions to the “public comment” fund.
In response to a question by Commissioner Bautista, Donna Bero, the Friend’s Executive Director reported that the “Public Comment” Fund , created by community activist Ellen Egbert to benefit the Friends, was up and running.
AGENDA ITEM #4 LIVE HOME WORK HELP PROGRAM
Library Chief of Children & Youth Services Toni Bernardi presented a detailed overview of the Library’s highly successful “Live Homework Help” online tutoring program. Ms. Bernardi noted that the online help was focused on children and teen students needing one-on-one real-time online homework help with math, sciences, and social studies homework from Tutor.com’s professional teachers. Ms. Bernardi reported the program was currently available in English and Spanish. Ms. Bernardi then gave a demonstration of how the help program worked.
Public comment on AGENDA ITEM #4 LIVE HOME WORK HELP PROGRAM
An anonymous member of the public spoke about: where the money expended for this program went; wondered who was paying for it; and noted they were in favor of providing help with homework.
Mr. Peter Warfield raised a red flag of concerns about confidentiality and privacy related to any data gathered about users while using the Live Homework Help Program.
Commission discussion of AGENDA ITEM #4 LIVE HOME WORK HELP PROGRAM
Commissioner Bautista applauded this program and suggested that students at the Philip and Sala Burton Academic High School would benefit from learning of it availability.
In answer to questions by President Higuieras concerning confidentiality and what data was being gathered, Ms. Bernardi explained that the program only collected use statistics not information about the identity of users.
Deputy City Attorney Catharine Barnes clarified the Library’s legal responsibilities related to use of the Live Homework Help Program.
Responding to a query by Commissioner Kane, Ms Bernardi reported that the program was based on an annual fee, that it was the oldest and most used of such programs among libraries, and that it had been found very cost effective.
AGENDA ITEM # 6 LABOR UNION REPORT
No report was presented.
AGENDA ITEM # 7 NEW BUSINESS
No New Business items were proposed.
AGENDA ITEM #8 ADJOURNMENT
City Librarian Luis Herrera informed the Commissioner of the tragic passing of Mission Branch Page Mirtha “Lizette” Estrada as well as her Father Pastor Estrada in a tragic apartment fire at their home in the Mission
MOTION: by Commissioner Bautista, 2nd Commissioner Chin to adjourn the regular October 6, 2005 Public Library Commission meeting “In Memoriam” of the late Mission Branch Library staff member the late Mirtha “Lizette” Estrada and her Father Pastor Estrada.
ACTION: AYE 6-0 (Bautista, Chin, Gomez, Higueras, Kane, and Strobin)
The Commission meeting adjourned at 5:44pm
Michael Housh, Commission Secretary 11/4/05
Please note: Copies of Commission Minutes and handouts are available in the Office of the Commission Secretary, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Explanatory documents: Copies of listed explanatory documents are available as follows: (1) from the Commission Secretary/Custodian of Records, Main Library, 6th Floor, (2) in the rear of the Koret Auditorium immediately before and during the meeting, and (3)to the extent possible, on the Library's website at http://sfpl.org/.
Additional materials not listed as explanatory documents on this agenda, if any, that are distributed to the Library Commissioners prior to or during the meeting in connection with any agenda item will be available to the public for inspection and copying in accordance with Government Code Section 54954.1 and Sunshine Ordinance §§ 67.9, 67.28(b)& 67.28(d).
ATTACHMENTS:
Cooperation Framework Agreement (PDF)
Minutes of the Library Commission Meeting October 6, 2005
Appendix A
The Public Comment Summary Statements included in these Minutes are authorized by San Francisco Administrative Code Section 67.16.
These summary statements are provided by the speaker. Their contents are neither generated by, nor subject to approval or verification of accuracy by, the San Francisco Public Library Commission.